site.btaForeign Minister Georgiev, US Secretary of State Rubio Confer by Phone on Defence Modernisation, Energy Security

Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev reaffirmed the United States as a key strategic partner and NATO ally, emphasising continued joint efforts on energy security, defence capabilities, and investment during a telephone conversation with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

The call took place less than a month after the two met at the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, where they agreed to keep their dialogue going.

Georgiev and Rubio discussed key aspects of the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States, with an emphasis on closer cooperation in defence and nuclear energy. Georgiev noted the partnership with the United States in the modernization of the Bulgarian armed forces, including the purchase of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, as well as joint projects for acquiring new Stryker armoured vehicles and Javelin anti-tank missiles.

Georgiev and Rubio also talked about the agreement with the US company Westinghouse and its role in diversifying nuclear fuel for the Kozloduy N-plant, as well as its impact on energy security.

At the end of the meeting, Rubio welcomed the strengthening partnership between the United States and Bulgaria and said that the United States is ready to work more closely together.